JANNAH

24: MATTERS OF THE HEART I

This is a short one!

"I knew she was a devil but setting up like that? That's a cheap shot!" Khaleel burned with resentment, his eyes tinged with blood.

Mukhtar patted his shoulder trying to calm him down.

"There are millions ways she could have gotten rid of me without dragging Amatullah into this, that girl was at the threshold of her life, with so much dreams to live for. Goddamnit, she was only eighteen!" Khaleel was bawling now, he used his sleeve to wipe the tears in his eyes, "She took her last breath thinking i did that to her, Amatullah died resenting me... I will never forgive myself for involving myself in her life."

Sheikh shook his head at him, telling him to get a grip of himself.

"Hamma, how can i live with myself?" Khaleel dissolved into tears, all the fight leaving his body and Sheikh took him in for a bro-hug.

"It was meant to happen, okay? Everything is going to be fine." Sheikh comforted.

"Not for me and her family."

Sheikh inched back and placed his hands on his shoulders, "Okay just... stop talking and calm down."

Khaleel let out a shaky breath, calming down a bit but he couldn't keep his mouth shut, "You know, I think Sara's problem isn't just about me not accepting her, I have caught her with a man twice at home and I'm sure that bothered her so much because she knows that I clearly saw them but never spoke about it..."

"You never spoke about it? Why?" Sheikh looked at his brother in utter shock, not believing his ears.

"Well, even if i did, no one would have believed me, like always. Would you have, Hamma?" Khaleel asked and Sheikh heaved a depressed breath in response.

He was more than exasperated to realize that not only was that woman a gold digger and psychopath who could go to any length to get what she wanted, but she was also a disgusting adulterer.

"I'm sorry for not believing you whenever you came to me with a complain. She had so much freedom and power, knowing whatever she did she wouldn't get busted so easily."

"She has ruined me." Khaleel's eyes brewed with fresh tears again, "But this is all over, right? Just get me out of this hellhole, Hamma. It's suffocating, I swear I can hardly sleep."

Sheikh's heart squeezed so tightly as he regarded his brother's messy state, with his full ungroomed hair and rangy body in a grey jalabiya, he looked like someone who had been bedridden for months.

"We'll get you out of here soon, i promise. Sara ran away this morning but the police are on her case."

Mukhtar nodded, "They are hunting high and low. Don't worry, Khal, you won't be here tomorrow this time in shaa Allah." He reassured with a radiant smile.

Khaleel released the biggest sigh of relief, giving his brother-in-law a manly hug.

***

The following day was filled with euphoric smiles, tears and gratitudes, Khaleel was back home and Sara was finally apprehended and sent to jail. Guests trooped in and out throughout the day, saying their well wishes.

Finally when the house regained back its quietness, Sheikh set to his brother's bedroom. When he took a peep he saw him in front of the mirror.

"Need an emergency haircut, huh?" Sheikh let out a chuckle.

Khaleel turned, his shoulders slumping, and Sheikh couldn't help but notice the absence of joie de vivre and energy he always gave off. His eyes were bland.